Cebu City Things to Do Tips by theguardianangel

Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral Metropolitan Cathedral Review

Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral is also one of the oldest churches in the country.
If the Bantayan Church was built 1580, 15 years after, the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral was built on 1595.
It's one of the typical type of Spanish churches and also undergone many reconstructions since the World War II.

When I looked inside the Cathedral, the altar is very beautiful and holy.
I believe this cathedral's the best to hold wedding ceremonies due to its classical structure.

You'll notice 2 pillars beside the facade of the cathedral. I just recently found out that these pillars were unfinished remains in an attempt to construct the cathedral. I thought it's just a design.

There's also souvenir shop adjacent to the chapel. It's Sunday when we visited the cathedral but it's closed. There's also a rectory of the Cathedral seen as you pass by the pillars.

Address: P. Burgos St., Cebu City, Cebu , Phiilippines

Directions: if you'll take jeepneys, it will stop right in front of the cathedral

Island Hopping to the Virgin Island Island Hopping Review

Get ready for another island hopping in the Virgin Island! The first time I heard about this virgin island, I wondered if it’s the official name and yes, it really is Virgin Island!
Cant't wait to get to another paradise!!!!

there's a few differences I observed in the virgin island compared to bantayan.
The water in Bantayan is somewhat like 50% blue and 50% green but in the virgin island- it’s like 75% greener and 25% blue color (that’s my own calculation).
The beach has very clear water! You an even see your reflection on it!
A few houses can be found in the virgin island… well, probably that’s where it got its name.

Good thing that when we did the island hopping, there were only few people spending the holiday so it’s like we own the island!

from Bantayan we talked to some people in the resort, actually there were locals who offer to hire their boat for island hopping. Price ranges from 1200php-1500php (price depends on the size and type of the boat). We rented a boat w/ a fee of 1200Php maximum of 20 pax (round trip) and we just divided the payment for 11 pax. (Price is cheap and really great!) The boat man will wait for you in the virgin island anytime you want just before it gets dark and unless he senses that the ocean is beginning to build up big waves.

Travel time from bantayan to virgin island takes 30minutes.
We arrived at 11am in the virgin island since we dropped by 1st to another island (I dunno the name, it's was just recommended by the boat man) where we bought fishes and squid for lunch. We also bought pork chops in the wet market before our island hopping.
There’s a grilling area in the virgin island and that’s where we cooked our food.
We paid 150Php for the Cottage fee with unlimited use.
There’s this small store that sells sodas, ice, toiletries, onions, condiments and other usual stuffs commonly used by tourists.

It's the only store in the island where we rented plates, kitchen utensils like the knife, basin and container of water for washing the meat and seafood and paid 50Php. We then realized that everything we used in the island had a rental fee.
I know the fees are cheap but I can’t help but wonder why even the use of basin has a fee… I just don’t get it since we’re the only people on that day.

Anyway… gawd! I got over it and accepted that the world has changed… nothing is free nowadays! You can also snorkel but you have to bring your own snorkeling materials with you. On the right side facing the beach, my friends saw a lot of sea creatures like the starfish!

I really admire though the store owner’s house of its life size jars! The mini garden’s also decorated with shells that I find attractive.

I also observed that the dogs in this island act differently compared to the dogs in the urban areas. Yeah, I know it’s weird that I observed this. The dogs don’t bark and I’m not kidding! Really unusual! They just sniff at you and follow you especially when you are eating something & they’re also big but tame.

We got back in Bantayan at 430pm since the boat man advised us to leave the virgin island early due to the big waves that were starting to build up.

Address: Virgin Island, Cebu, Philippines

Magellan's Cross Magellan's Cross Review

You should not miss the Magellan’s Cross being the famous landmark in Cebu and having its contribution in the history of the Philippines. This cross was planted as a symbol of the arrival of the Portuguese and Spanish explorers headed by Ferdinand Magellan upon arrival in the city.
The cross is enclosed on a small hall that stands at the center infront of the City Hall.
The hall's ceiling has a canvas that portrays the historical event of the cross.

We recently found out that there's a cheaper souvenir store across the street of the Magellan cross. It's 50%-75% cheaper than the Souvenir island store, but the shirts' quality aren't the same.

We were residing in Mandaue City, our friend from Cebu advised us to take a cab instead so we can get back on time before the baptismal ceremony of our goddaughter (yeah, she's already my 4th goddaughter).

Address: Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines

Directions: just a few minutes walk from the Basilica del Sto Nino

Lapu-Lapu Shrine Lapu Lapu Monument Review

Okay.. so after you got to visit the Magellan’s Cross, let’s go to the spot where Magellan died.

Just a brief history, after Magellan’s (the Spanish invader) visit with the cross, he came for the 2nd time and this time, he planned to invade the country. Unfortunately, we have Lapu-Lapu, the First Filipino Patriot who showed his love for the country and killed Magellan with his men and the place later known as the Lapu-Lapu Shrine.

The spot in the Lapu-Lapu Shrine where Magellan was killed by Lapu-Lapu wasn’t hard to find because a tombstone (actually, it’s not that really a tombstone) was built on the actual spot with a plaque of a written history on it.
On the wall, at the back of what it seems like a tombstone is a long painting of the fight between the Spaniards and the Filipinos.
Lapu-Lapu’s monument is a 66ft bronze standing very tall in the island. When you get to the monument of Lapu-Lapu, you’ll see a fishing village and there’s these Indiana like statues outside that looks like you’re in a Survivor island.

This place is a bit far from Cebu City and a lot of transferring of public vehicles, so I recommend taking the cab instead. No admission fees, donation box is on the entrance.

The restrooms are clean. You have to take off your shoes before entering but you can use the wooden slippers or “bakya” near the door.

On the right side of the entrance there are numerous souvenir shops that you’ll find very interesting and cheap stuffs to choose from.

Address: Punta Engano, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines

Bantayan Island Island Hopping Review

When I got to Bantayan Island! The only word i kept on blurting out was "Wow!"
I thought I was on a paradise while Adam and Eve are hiding in the coconut trees.
You really need to see this island especially when you need to lose a pail of stress!

You also must need to reserve some of your time to go here.
From Cebu City North Bus Terminal going to Hagnaya Port-
time travel: 3 hours maximum
fare 70-80php
Bus operations starts at 5am

*From Cebu Airport
you can hire a private van for a large group, maximum 12 pax for 2500-3000Php.
(that's what we did)
You'll also have to pay for the gas, worth 1500Php.

From hagnaya Port you have to take the Ferry going to Santa Fe
time travel: 1-1.5 hrs
fare 170Php
terminal fee: 10Php
last ferry ride: 530pm

Total maximum time travel is 4.5 hours so you better leave the city very early in the morning.

once you arrive in Bantayan island, you'll find many beach resorts around at affordable rates.
the only difference of these resorts are the location in the island.

NEVER miss the sunrise!
it's the only thing that gets me up very early in the morning... on a vacation!
It brings a good feeling to start the day to watch the sun rises up.

Address: Bantayan island, Cebu, Philippines

The only basilica in the far east Basilica Del Santo Nino Review

also a museum and former San Agustin Church; it houses the country's oldest religious image of the Miraculous Image of the Holy Child Jesus more popularly known as "SEÑOR SANTO NIÑO".

The masses are held inside the church and in the patio.
Sunday & High masses are held outside the patio due to a larger crowd of church goers.
Masses are usually in Cebuano language but there's English/Tagalog schedules also.
When you face infront the patio, you'll notice the tall building in the middle, with an image of the child Jesus.
Inside the church's altar are images of saints that look likes in a golden box of glass.

Please note that taking pictures during a mass celebration is not allowed.

Beside the patio are altar of candles where you can lit a candle while praying.
You don't have to pay for the candle, you just have to give any amount of donation...
any amount that comes from the heart:)

When you exit from the altar of candles, there you will arrive in the hall of Magellan's Cross.

Extreme Sky Adventure Sky Experience Adventure Review

Conquer your fear of heights… and count me in!

Another way to spend your time in Cebu is to have an extreme adventure!
Get ready for an awesome experience in the 37th floor of the Crown Regency Cebu, for the Sky Walk Extreme! This fun thrilling action will let you walk around the edge of the building, having 360 degrees view in the city.

My friends & I had this adventure on a very, very windy day! Gosh! Honestly, I don’t know how I survived this thing because I’m really an acrophobic! Yikes!

We were asked to wear an orange jumpsuit and white sneakers before stepping out in the platform. There are also guides that walked us through the edge of the building aside from the harness as support ofcourse. I briefed myself not to look down because it may just take away the little courage I have left… but I can’t help it!!!! Many times I looked down thinking that I can overcome the fear of heights… Fortunately, nothing bad happened to me after that.. but still my fear of heights is still present until now.

If the skywalk adventure didn’t satisfy your adrenalin rush, try the Edge Coaster; located on the 38th floor of the Crown Regency Hotel. It is situated at the edge of the building and tilts at 55 degrees!!! It’ gives you the feeling of like falling into your seat but it’s not.

Entrance fee: 700Php but we had a promo to pay half of its price (back in the days)
Monday - Friday (Open from 2pm till 12mn)
Saturday - (Open from 10am till 2am)
Sunday - (Open from 10am till 2mn)

Address: Crown Regency Hotel, Fuente Osmeña Blvd, Cebu City

Other Contact: (032) 418 - 7777

Phone: (032) 418 - 8888

Taoist Temple

Cebu’s Taoist temple was built in 1972 with an entrance replica of the great wall of china.
One of the good things about visiting this temple compared to Phusian Temple is that it is open for non-worshippers.

Address: Beverly Hills Subdivision, Cebu City